Yeah, the system really got me there.
I should have taken the core upgrade instead.
Now, it would literally take me three hundred more days to get that upgrade at my current pace.
Needless to say, I spent the next few days cursing it—and myself too—for being so stupid. The more I thought about it, the worse it felt.
I couldn't believe it. Just one wrong move, and it had set me back massively.
But well… as a castle, at least I had an unlimited amount of time.
Still, that didn't make it hurt any less.
I made a vow to myself then.
Alright. From now on, I would save every single point I had. And get the core upgrade next—no matter what!
***
Painfully slowly, another month went by without anything significant happening.
I did earn a few more achievements, though, which boosted my balance a little.
First was the 100 Days in Azef achievement, which generously awarded me 20 points.
Second was an achievement for having a total of 100 animals living inside me—another 20 points.
Most of them were birds and raccoons. Some rabbits had also made homes in my yard, occasionally poking their heads out of their dens in the early morning. Utterly adorable creatures.
So, that was 40 points from achievements. It wasn't much, but at least it brought me closer to the core upgrade I wanted, so I wasn't complaining.
That aside, The goblins, as expected, still avoided my castle like the plague. I wondered if there were any other monsters in the forest, like trolls or gnomes maybe? I honestly hoped so.
Either way, I then shifted my focus to another project.
I tried to figure out a way to grow fruits, but so far? No luck.
The apples I bought from the shop didn't have seeds. The animals ate them whole, leaving nothing behind. I guess… the system wanted a monopoly on apples?
Haha, yeah, not surprised.
It seemed the only way plants could grow was if birds or rabbits carried seeds from outside into my territory.
That actually sounded plausible, and I believed that it would happen eventually.
But right now, that's out of my control.
If only I have at least one citizen! It would be so much better!
******
But then, on Day 123, everything changed.
I thought my fate with goblins was already sealed. That they would forever avoid me, and I would forever regret my mistake.
But that evening, it was as if the gods of Azef decided to give me one last chance.
It was another stormy night.
Just like before, the sky roared in fury. Thunder split the heavens again and again, each crack rattling my walls. Rain hammered down in relentless sheets, and violent winds screamed through the forest like enraged spirits tearing at the land.
And here I was—once again—quietly enjoying the chaos.
I even found myself making a stupid little bet, wondering if lightning would strike me again like it did on Day 10.
A few bolts came dangerously close.
But no direct hit this time.
That made me pause.
…Should I build a lightning rod?
I mean, I did have iron now. A simple iron pole wouldn't be that hard to make, right?
As I was thinking that, my external camera suddenly picked up movement.
Two small figures burst out of the forest.
Running.
I zoomed in immediately.
Goblins!
Two goblins stumbled through the mud, soaked to the bone, slipping as they ran. Their breaths were ragged, movements frantic, every step screamed pure desperation. For a moment, I wondered what could possibly terrify goblins this badly.
Then I heard it.
"Awooooo—!"
My attention snapped back toward the forest.
The bushes exploded outward as a massive shadow leaped into the clearing.
A wolf!
No… not just a simple wolf. Because I had never seen anything like this!
This thing was enormous, easily the size of a bull! Its thick gray fur slick with rain. Curved horns jutted from its skull, dark and menacing, giving it an almost demonic silhouette. Its glowing eyes were locked onto the fleeing goblins, filled with hunger.
Then another shadow emerged.
Then another!
And another!
Soon, an entire pack poured out of the forest, snarling and barking as they gave chase, their howls blending with the thunder as the hunt began.
And that alone answered my earlier question.
So this forest really did have other monsters!
Compared to those things, the two goblins looked pathetically small and fragile.
I could see them clearly now.
One was slightly taller, more muscular, most likely a male goblin. The other was smaller and thinner, with some chests and pony tail hair, clearly a female. Both had the same white tattoo painted across their faces.
That similar made me think… were they family? Perhaps?
Siblings, maybe?
For now, I just assumed so.
So, I held my breath as I watched the scene unfold, if I even had lungs anymore.
They were running straight toward me now. More accurately… that was the only direction left for them to run.
Then it happened.
The smaller goblin's foot slipped on the rain-soaked ground, and she crashed face-first into the mud.
Oh no!
A wolf lunged at her!
But the taller goblin heard his little sister's scream so he spun around without hesitation and charged back like a madman!
He screamed at the top of his lungs and swung!
"BAM!"
His crude wooden club smashed into the wolf's snout!
Damn!
That was a solid hit!
The beast yelped and staggered sideways, letting out a sharp, pained whimper.
But of course! It was nowhere near enough!
The wolf shook its head violently, rain spraying from its fur. The fury in its eyes burned even brighter than before.
And then, another wolf lunged in from the side, claws flashing as it tore through the rain, aiming straight for them!
But the goblin brother acted just in time.
In a heroic save, it grabbed his sister and took a claw to the back!
SLASH!
Blood sprayed from the wounded goblin.
Damn, that's brutal!
And at that point, I thought it was over—that the goblin had fallen and would become nothing more than a fresh meal for the wolves.
However, to my surprise, the brother goblin was still able to get up.
He screamed and forced himself upright!
Despite the grievous wound, adrenaline seemed to flood his body, screaming at him to move.
And then, he hoisted his sister onto his back.
Another wolf lunged.
But he ducked at the very last moment, twisted his body in a desperate, almost beautiful turn—
And ran.
Straight toward me!
He screamed as he ran, legs pumping like a machine on steroids, splashing through the mud without slowing down.
And seeing that, suddenly, something ignited within me.
What the hell?
Is this guy an anime MC or something?!
This is ridiculous!
I knew I had killed countless goblins before.
I had never feel bad for those guys. They were just stupid monsters to me—nothing more than a means to earn points.
But this time… I suddenly found myself cheering them on.
"COME ON," I urged silently. "COME ON! YOU'VE GOT THIS!"
I raised my gate open.
Get in. Hurry.
But then—
The goblin skidded to a halt.
Because, there it was, that damned skull-marked stick! The danger sign that the elder goblin placed infront of me. And now, it's blocking the way.
"Oh GOD DAMN IT!" I swore. "JUST FUCKING GET IN!"
Still, the goblin brother hesitated, rain pouring down his face, eyes darting between the warning sign and the snarling monsters behind him. His sister cried, clinging to him, her arms locked around his neck, trembling like a leaf in the storm.
Behind them, the wolves closed in.
The goblin brother stood at a terrible crossroads.
Death behind him.
Fear in front of him.
With no time left to think, what would he choose?
…
"YAAAAAARRRR!"
The goblin screamed and ran straight into my castle!
YES!
I slammed the gate shut immediately.
CLANG!
However, just as the portcullis was coming down, a wolf lunged forward and managed to slip through!
It skidded into my courtyard, water spraying beneath its paws. Its lips curled back, drool dripping from its fangs as it faced the goblin siblings.
Thunder boomed overhead.
The goblin siblings turned, and froze in terror, their faces drained of all color.